Burnley Team Guide: Lack of squad depth worrying for Clarets
Published:Team Name: Burnley
Manager: Sean Dyche
Last Season: 2nd (Automatic promotion from the Championship)
Who they’ve signed so far: Matthew Gilks (Blackpool, free), Lukas Jutkiewicz (Middlesbrough, �1.5m), Michael Kightly (Stoke City, undisclosed), Steven Reid (West Brom Albion, free), Marvin Sordell (Bolton Wanderers, undisclosed), Matthew Taylor (West Ham United, undisclosed).
Out of the exit door: Chris Baird (West Bromwich Albion, free), David Edgar (Birmingham City, free), Joseph Mills (Oldham Athletic, free), Junior Stanislas (Bournemouth, free), Nick Liversedge, Brian Stock, Keith Treacy (all released).
Star Man: Danny Ings
If Burnley are to survive then Danny Ings� form in front of goal will be pivotal to their chances of securing their top-flight status.
Last term�s Championship Player of the Year smashed in a total of 26 goals for the Clarets and has subsequently attracted interest from Liverpool.
Despite pledging his allegiance to his current employers the England under-21 international may not be lighting up Turf Moor for too much longer if his goalscoring exploits continue.
Watch Danny Ings finish off a tidy move to put Burnley 1-0 up against fellow Premier League newboys QPR last season!
Under the Radar: Kieran Tripper
23-year-old right-back Kieran Tripper has been a revelation at Turf Moor since making a permanent switch from Manchester City two years ago.
The tough tackling and tenacious defender has plenty in his locker with the 80 chances he created last season testament to his all-round abilities.
Team Liability: Michael Duff
A harsh choice perhaps but at 36-years-old centre-back Michael Duff may find life among the elite too hot to handle.
The Northern Irishman will no doubt continue to perform the basics well.
But against the Premier League’s attacking artists he may well be left chasing shadows.
Left-back Ben Mee is another weak link who�s been under the microscope for his defensive frailties.
However, in the end we’ve plumped for former Cheltenham Town stalwart Duff as Burnley’s potential fall guy.
Title Odds: 7,500/1
Best Bet: To finish bottom @ 11/5
Our Verdict:
Sean Dyche performed miracles to get the Clarets into the Premier League but his magic may have little effect in the top flight.
And with a light squad to choose from a swift return to the Championship beckons.
Burnley finished 18th in their maiden Premier League season in 2009-10, just a goal above Hull and with free-falling Portsmouth the only other club breaking their fall.
Expect them to be worse off this time round.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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